Rome, May 13 (UNI) Emma Raducanu's encouraging Italian Open run came to an end in the last 16 as world number three Coco Gauff proved too much of a step up in class.

Raducanu, ranked 49th in the world, lost 6-1 6-2 on the Rome clay to American Gauff on Monday.

For the first time in her career, the British number two had won three clay-court matches in a row to reach the fourth round in the Italian capital.

But any hopes she could cause a shock against 21-year-old Gauff were soon extinguished.

Like Raducanu in 2021, Gauff's sole major victory so far came on the hard courts of the US Open

two years ago, but on Monday she emphasised why she is also a force on the red dirt.

Gauff, who reached the French Open final three years ago, returned superbly from the start and also dug deep in service games when required, the BBC reported.

"Emma is a tough opponent no matter what surface and always tough to play - so I'm happy with how I played," Gauff, a finalist on the Madrid clay last week, told Sky Sports.

"My level is getting better every match and Madrid was a step in the right direction.

"Today I think my forehand was a big weapon, set me up for a lot of short balls and a lot of good points."

Raducanu, looking for plus points after her defeat, said: "I just know that every day I'm trying to be

the best version of myself, I'm trying to win the day, and I'm trying to get back to that.

"I didn't win on the match court today but I'm going to find a way to win the day still today. It was a tough one at the office, I just have to take a lot of positives."

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